Our vets at Wilkinson Animal Hospital in Gastonia, North Carolina, see more pets for allergy-related skin conditions than for almost any other reason. Pet allergies are very common and treatable, but can fester and become serious health conditions if left untreated.
Do you think your pet is having an allergic reaction? Itching, scratching and hot spots are all good indications of allergies. If you notice these or any of the symptoms listed below, do not hesitate to schedule a consultation for your pet immediately.
Dog & Cat Allergy Symptoms
Types of Allergies in Dogs and Cats
Flea allergy: The bite of a flea on your dog or cat causes an intense allergic reaction, resulting in itchy skin. Fleas can lay up to 50 eggs a day which then turn into adult fleas within days. Because they multiply so fast, allergies can become serious quickly.
Food allergy: An aspect of your pet’s diet triggers reactions such as itchy skin, diarrhea or other gastrointestinal problems.
Skin allergy or Atopic Dermatitis: An allergen or foreign substance is inhaled or makes contact with the skin, causing extremely itchy skin. This can lead to skin infections or skin injuries from excessive scratching.
Other Common Causes of Pet Allergies:
Pet Allergy & Itch Treatment
Once the allergens have been identified, we develop a program to eliminate the source of the allergen in your pet’s environment.
Other options for itch relief include:
Antihistamines combined with essential fatty acids
Anti-itch conditioners
Topical steroid sprays
Oral steroids
Anti-itch prescriptions
Oral or injectable immunotherapy
Evaluation by a board certified veterinary dermatologist
If you think your pet is suffering from allergies or dermatological irritation, please call Wilkinson Animal Hospital in Gastonia, North Carolina, to learn more about how our vets can help your pet!
